Recent federal and state lawsuits claim that the DuPont Co. Washington Works plant, near Parkersburg, was responsible for dumping PFOA (otherwise known as perfluorooctanoic acid) into the Ohio River. As a result, the the local drinking water in at least six public water systems in West Virginia and Ohio was contaminated, causing severe illness and disease.

Since the 1950s, PFOA (also known as C8) has been used as a processing agent to make Teflon and other non-stick products. It is used for oil-resistant paper packaging and stain-resistant textile of many consumer goods such as food wrappers, waterproof clothing, electrical cables and pizza boxes.

Are you a plaintiff in a DuPont C8 class action lawsuit that recently settled? Unfortunately, it could be awhile before you obtain your settlement. That is where legal funding can help. Continue reading to learn about DuPont C8 lawsuits and settlement loans.

DuPont Pays $671 Million to Settle

On February 13, 2017, DuPont and its spin off company, Chemours, settled for almost $671 million in response to about 3,550 lawsuits by Ohio and West Virginia residents. Residents claim they became ill as a result of contaminated water that contained perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA.

According to the lawyers of the plaintiffs, DuPont was aware of the dumping and that the C8 chemical was toxic. Since 1980, the company knew that the C8 chemical causes cancer, birth defects and an array of other health problems. However, they only settled in early 2017.

The Side Effects of C8 Exposure

According to a recent study, Ohio and West Virginia residents who drank water from wells near the plant had an average level of 38 parts per billion of C8 in their blood. That is 7.6 times more than the average American. In 2012, a science panel established that there is an existing link between C8 and six diseases: kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, pregnancy-induced hypertension and high cholesterol.

These scientists also found during this six-year study that, even at low exposure levels, the C8 chemical affects nearly every part of the body. The C8 chemical is also very durable and stable, meaning it does not biodegrade. It continues to build up in the blood through regular exposure from contaminated water or air.

DuPont C8 Settlement Includes All Pending MDL Claims

The DuPont C8 settlement includes all pending claims in the multidistrict litigation presided over by U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus, Jr. Three of the verdicts totaled $19.7 million. In one large settlement, a jury ordered DuPont to pay a plaintiff $12.5 million after the plaintiff contracted testicular cancer.

This means that Chemours will pay up to $25 million a year for the next five years in addition to the base settlement amount. If liabilities exceed that amount, DuPont will cover the additional cost up to the next $25 million.

In light of these lawsuits and settlement, DuPont and seven other companies have stopped making and using the C8 chemical. The EPA has also established mandatory testing for the contaminant.

Uplift Legal Funding Settlement Loans

If you are a plaintiff in a DuPont C8 lawsuit, Uplift Legal Funding can help provide you with the financial assistance you need until settlement arrives. We help plaintiffs nationwide and believe in easing the financial strain many plaintiffs face due to legal and medical expenses.